Reliable PV direct submersible? [RE-wrenches]

[Matt Tritt]

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Hi Mick,

As someone with plenty of solar pumping battles in my repertoire (not as 
many as Windy of course!) and negative experiences with all the usual 
suspects, I would like to give my highest rating to Mono Pumps from 
Australia. These are the guys that "invented" the modern helical rotor 
pump back in the 1930s, and developed a solar version in the 80's, way 
before anyone else did. The design, performance and quality of these 
pumps are the best in the world, but the price reflects it.

Mono has been copied by several manufacturers (without naming names) but 
never equaled. They also make an interesting tracker that uses GPS 
technology to position the panels, remote monitoring for watching the 
pump from off site, pre-assembled complete pumping systems that a 
rancher can install with minimum hassle in very short time (in Australia 
only) and can use arrays of > 2,000 Watts power. All their pumps are 
helical rotor, no centrifugals at all. They even have models that will 
work in water as hot as 90 deg. C! Probably the only limitation with 
their pumps is that they don't bother with very high lift models like 
Lorentz does.

Judging from the popularity of Mono in many parts of the world, I would 
feel completely safe in suggesting one of these systems to anyone.

Matt T

Walt Ratterman wrote:

>Hello....
>
>Walt Ratterman here.
>
>I have done solar pumping projects in several developing countries - the
>latest was the FATA area of NW Pakistan.  We too want to be sure the
>systems work.....
>
>Generally, the first step would be to see if your system size (by daily
>water needs and dynamic head) put you in a range of a DC system pump and
>controller.  If so, then you can feel comfortable with the products by
>SunPUmps, Dankoff (now mainly Lorenz) and Grundfos.  All three
>manufacturers have different areas where their pumps perform the best
>(based on specific efficiencies, so check them all out...)  It is not
>unusual to have these pumps in submersed for 10 to 15 years without a
>problem in the pump.  The Grundfos and Lorenz models would be the
>heliacal rotor pump.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Walt
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Mick Abraham [mailto:mick at abrahamsolar.com] 
>Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 7:01 PM
>To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>Subject: Reliable PV direct submersible? [RE-wrenches]
>
>
>Hi, Wrenchies~
>
>A childhood friend just called me for help on a pumping system. His 
>mechanical style windmill just got blown away due to high winds...again.
>
>He's asked me about PV direct submersible pumping 700 to 1000 gpd, total
>
>lift 120'.
>
>Remember, this is my longtime friend whom I would like to keep as a 
>friend. He is used to having pump problems once or twice a year but 
>would like less trouble than that and would certainly not enjoy more 
>trouble than that. As I review my history with PV direct pumping systems
>
>it occurs to me that my clients have had frequent trouble with every 
>major brand of pump/controller that I've worked with. That includes 
>several major brands some of which were fairly expensive. I gave up 
>entirely on this category several years ago, so I don't know the product
>
>landscape very well any more.
>
>Could any of you recommend a PV direct submersible system that would be 
>highly reliable? Aerovironment's inverter solution with conventional 
>pump looks good but seems cost prohibitive because of the high PV 
>wattage required. I'm inclined to suggest the Grundfos SQFlex system 
>this time. That's one that I've never had occasion to curse but also one
>
>that I've never sold, so I hope to get opinions from List members with 
>mud on their boots. 
>
>I'm sorry to seem cynical but the past problems with this product 
>category have stripped my gears. I definitely see the appropriateness of
>
>PV direct pumping but I also need to stop selling things that break   
>down. This pumping site is not close to my location so I need something 
>with "set it and forget it" reliability.
>
>Thanks all around,
>
>Mick Abraham
>Abraham Solar Equipment
>Pagosa Springs, CO
>www.abrahamsolar.com
>
>
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